Dinh Bac scored, and U23 Vietnam defeated host U23 Saudi Arabia to advance to the quarterfinals.

Before kick-off, the situation in Group A placed the two teams in contrasting psychological states. U23 Saudi Arabia needed a win to keep their hopes of advancing alive, while U23 Vietnam only needed a draw. However, Kim Sang Sik's team did not choose a cautious approach. From the very first minutes, U23 Vietnam played proactively, organizing their formation tightly but ready to counter-attack when the opportunity arose.

The first half saw intense pressure from the home team. U23 Saudi Arabia, with the advantage of playing at home and superior physical fitness, constantly pushed forward, creating numerous threatening situations. Abdulaziz, Musab Al Juwayr, and Salem Al Najdi repeatedly tried their luck with shots from outside the penalty area and runs into the center. However, in goal for U23 Vietnam, goalkeeper Trung Kien played an outstanding game. From making saves to calmly controlling space against dangerous crosses, Trung Kien became a solid pillar for the white-shirted defense.

Up front, the Vietnam U23 team didn't just sit back and defend. Attacks organized down the right wing with the mobility of Anh Quân, along with set pieces taken by Văn Khang, created several notable opportunities. In the 6th minute, from a corner kick, Hiểu Minh nearly scored amidst a scramble in front of the home team's goal. However, the first half ended without any goals being scored.

Entering the second half, the pressure from U23 Saudi Arabia intensified. The home team understood that any hesitation could cost them dearly. In the early minutes of the half, Trung Kien repeatedly showcased his skills, denying shots from Musab Al Juwayr and Abdulaziz in situations where the Vietnamese defense showed rare gaps.

Just when the momentum seemed to be completely in favor of the home team, the turning point came in the 64th minute. From a quick counter-attack, Dinh Bac received the ball in the penalty area. Despite the fierce challenge from the opposing defender and from a very tight angle, the U23 Vietnam striker confidently unleashed a decisive shot. The ball flew straight into the net, leaving goalkeeper Hamed helpless and the entire stadium in stunned silence.

The opening goal relieved the psychological pressure on the Vietnam U23 team. Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabia U23 team was forced to push forward even more, taking risks to find an equalizer. In the final minutes of the match, the Vietnam U23 defense fought valiantly. Salem Al Najdi, Abdulaziz, and Alobaid repeatedly unleashed shots from the edge of the penalty area, but their accuracy was insufficient to beat Trung Kien and the other defenders in white shirts.

In the 74th minute, goalkeeper Trung Kien once again sent shivers down the spines of Vietnamese fans, followed by jubilation, with a spectacular save to deny Alobaid's close-range header. In the 80th minute, U23 Vietnam had another chance to double their lead when Le Phat confidently dribbled past three opposing players, but his final shot lacked the necessary power to beat goalkeeper Hamed.

In the final minutes, Coach Kim Sang Sik's players controlled the ball better, coordinating confidently to slow down the pace of the game, forcing the home team to chase the ball impatiently. When the final whistle blew, the 1-0 victory not only helped the white-shirted team maintain their perfect record in the group stage, but also marked the first time Vietnam had achieved this feat at the U23 Asian Championship.

In a highly unpredictable group, the Vietnam U23 team successively overcame Jordan U23, Kyrgyzstan U23, and finally host nation Saudi Arabia, to advance to the quarterfinals as a formidable contender.

With their current form and high spirits after winning all their group stage matches, the Vietnam U23 team has every right to dream of going further in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship.